The Kennebec Journal

March 10

Merger moves to join Fayette, Winthrop units

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

WINTHROP -- The school board voted 5-0 Monday to file a letter of intent to join Fayette in forming a consolidated school district.

Representatives from both towns will work on the plan today at 6 p.m. at the Winthrop Town Office.

Letters of intent to form an alternative organizational structure are being hand-delivered today to the state Department of Education, according to Sandy Flynn, administrative assistant to the Winthrop schools superintendent.

In January 2009, voters in the two communities rejected a plan to join with the four-town Maranacook-area school district to form a regional school unit. That left Fayette and Winthrop at risk for financial penalties for failing to comply with the state's school consolidation plan.

The school board in Winthrop will vote on the plan at today's meeting in a public session that begins at 6 p.m. in the Town Office.

The Fayette board will vote on the plan at its regular meeting Thursday. The new two-town plan and interlocal agreement must be filed with the state by Monday morning.

Voters in both towns would have to weigh in at the polls no later than May 4.

Officials in both towns are hoping the new plan, which they say is due at the state on Monday, will forestall financial penalties.

Winthrop School Board Chairman John Mitchell said the board members' attitude on Monday was, "Let's move forward."

Mitchell said he and Winthrop Superintendent Stephen Cottrell had met with Fayette Superintendent Briane Coultard and Fayette school board chairman Dick Darling twice for exploratory talks.

At Monday's meeting, the Winthrop board also voted 5-0 to retain the law firm of Preti, Flaherty, Beliveau & Pachios to work on the application to become an alternative organizational structure, and on the referendum process.

According to state education data, Fayette enrolls 150 students; Winthrop enrolls 825.

Betty Adams -- 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com